How Much Weight Can Your Jeep Wrangler Handle?

You own a Jeep Wrangler because of the freedom it represents, the freedom to get up and leave the day-to-day grind of the city, to find new trails and adventures. Part of this lifestyle involves being prepared for whatever comes at you when you are on the trail since you can’t always count on a tow truck or a helping hand where you’re going. This is why you load up your Jeep Wrangler with all kinds of gear, and why it’s so important to understand the limits of this venerable piece of machinery.

Why It’s Important to Know Your Vehicle’s Weight Limit

Every passenger or commercial vehicle has a limit to the amount of weight it can safely operate under, and your Jeep Wrangler is no exception. This weight limit is known as the GVWR, or gross vehicle weight rating, and it includes the weight of the vehicle with accessories, plus payloads like passengers, fuel, and any cargo or luggage.

You need to know your Jeep Wrangler’s weight capacity because a vehicle that exceeds its GVWR is prone to exhibit unsafe handling characteristics and it could cause damage to the vehicle. Some common issues that can arise from an overloaded vehicle include:

• Tire damage. If you exceed the weight rating for your vehicle you can put extra strain on your tires, causing them to heat up and potentially blow out. A blown tire can be a major safety hazard, especially when traveling at high speeds or over complex terrain.
• Damaged suspension. Your shocks, springs, and struts work together to dampen vehicle motions, but if they are overloaded, it can reduce their effectiveness and cause unwanted body motions. You can purchase aftermarket parts to increase your Jeep’s carrying capacity.
• Powertrain issues. The motor and transmission of your Jeep work together to move the vehicle, but an excess of weight can put additional strain on the powertrain, resulting in poor performance.
• Unsafe handling. Every vehicle is put through rigorous testing during its development to ensure that it handles safely in all conditions. An overweight vehicle will have a distorted center of balance and distribution of weight that could lead to unexpected handling characteristics, putting you and your passengers in danger.

Jeep Wrangler Cargo Limits

The cargo limit that you can place in the back of a Jeep Wrangler varies, from 997 to 1,351 pounds, depending upon your Wrangler model, trim level, and year of manufacture. As a rule, the four-door models will have a higher payload capacity, at 1,204 to 1,233 pounds, with the Rubicon trim topping out at 1,351 pounds. Two-door Wranglers typically have payload ranges of under 1,000 pounds.

Your payload limit includes items like fuel, cargo, and even passengers, so if you are traveling alone, you can haul more gear.

It’s also important to remember that anytime you add off-road accessories like winches, cargo racks, or brush guards, it reduces the overall payload capacity of the vehicle.

If you notice that your Jeep is handling differently than usual, that can be a sign that you have overloaded. Another warning sign to look out for is an unusual vehicle stance. If the back of the Jeep is squatting, it’s a good bet that you have too much weight over the back axle and you need to do some repacking.

Does Towing Reduce My Cargo Limit?

For longer trips, you may decide to tow a utility trailer with extra gear, or even a tent trailer. You’re probably wondering if towing a trailer reduces your payload limit.

When you attach a trailer to your Jeep Wrangler trailer hitch, it places weight on the back of the vehicle. The weight on the hitch is called the tongue weight and it needs to be included in your overall payload number. Jeep Wranglers have a 350-pound tongue weight capacity and towing capacities of between 2,000 and 3,500 pounds. This means that while you may be able to tow a 3,500-pound trailer, the weight of the trailer tongue on your hitch must not exceed 350 pounds, and you need to subtract that weight from the weight of passengers and cargo that you can haul.

Tips to Maximize Cargo Storage 

Once you’ve sorted out how much weight you can take it’s time to organize your Jeep Wrangler cargo space. To make the most of your space, you can use these tricks to maximize your cargo-carrying capacity:

1. Use organizers. Bins, baskets, and dividers are great tools to help keep your cargo organized and easy to access. They can also help to prevent items from shifting while you drive and a well-designed bin makes loading and unloading a snap.
2. Secure items. Use bungee cords, netting, or straps to secure items and prevent them from moving around. It’s easy to sustain injuries from unsecured items moving through a vehicle and this is a tactic that you can use to avoid that inconvenience when you’re on the trail.
3. Make use of vertical space. A roof rack is a great place to store dirty items, like tires, or that extra can of fuel that you will need for the trail. Just be aware of the weight capacity of the roof rack and see if heavy items can find a lower storage area.
4. Pack strategically. Plan out how you will arrange your cargo to make the most efficient use of space before you begin to load the vehicle. Good planning can save a lot of time!
5. Place heavy items as low as possible. it’s always a good strategy to keep the heaviest items close to the ground since that will lower the vehicle’s center of gravity and result in a more stable ride. 
6. Don’t overload. Follow the Jeep Wrangler weight limits, set by the manufacturer to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle.
7. Cover items. Use a tarp or weather-resistant bag to cover any items that you transport on the exterior of the vehicle. Not only will this protect you from rain, dust, or dirt, but it’ll also keep your items out of sight, for added security.

Have fun planning your next adventure in your Jeep Wrangler, and be sure to keep your cargo limits in mind when loading up your ride!